Still undecided on what holiday gifts to buy this season? On Dec. 8 and 9, get 30% off T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats online only at the University Bookstore! Use promo code: HOLIDAY30 at checkout.
— Kyle McVay, University Bookstore
All posts by Kyle McVay
Big changes coming to Blackboard Learn Ultra
We have been keeping campus informed about the planned extensive changes with Blackboard Learn Ultra, the update to our learning management system. This past fall we upgraded to a new navigation to make our system more user-friendly, but there are more significant changes coming.
Blackboard Learn Ultra is comprised of three components:
- Ultra Base Navigation (completed as of August 2020): Modern navigation that provides quick access to the most critical information from across all courses.
- Original Course View (Drake course view through Summer 2021): This is the current course view that instructors and students are familiar with. There have been minimal changes to the features and workflows through regular system updates.
- Ultra Course View (Drake course view starting Fall 2021): This new course view will offer a streamlined, more intuitive interface and workflows. The Ultra Course View is fully responsive for optimal use on any device, and new functionality and enhancements will be added regularly.
Throughout November, we’ve released training modules covering the new navigation and the new look and feel for the Ultra Course View. In addition, we’ve provided all instructors with sandbox courses where you can practice using new functions and see how your current course structures will translate.
Communication and training will continue to be provided throughout Spring of 2021 to support your preparedness for your Fall 2021 courses in the Ultra Course View. It is important to be engaged with the training offered as the changes in workflows and functionality will be extensive.
Watch a video from Blackboard to see a preview of the Ultra Course View:
— Karly Good, ITS
Drake Law School named a top law school for Criminal Law by PreLaw Magazine
Drake Law School earned a place on PreLaw Magazine’s list of top law schools for Criminal Law with an A- rating. Law schools were graded based on the breadth of their curricular offerings including concentrations, clinical programs, centers, externships, journals, student groups, certificates, and other offerings.
Drake Law offers students substantial opportunities to learn about and develop skills in the field of criminal law. With coursework ranging from prosecution and defense to scientific and expert evidence to global issues in criminal law, students can explore a range of subject areas. The Drake Criminal Defense and Juvenile Delinquency Clinics provide students hands-on experience representing indigent clients in court appearances, depositions, and negotiations. Since the ranking was completed, Drake has expanded its criminal law program even further with the introduction of a new Wrongful Convictions Clinic.
Students also gain practical experience through internships with offices such as the Polk County Prosecutor’s Office, Federal and State Public Defender, and U.S Attorney’s Office. The Law School offers a certificate in Prosecution and Defense which is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in criminal law.
Students interested in criminal justice reform can take advantage of unique opportunities through Drake’s Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation (IJRI). Advanced seminars cover a wide range of legal subjects like restorative justice, trial and jury innovations, and innocence projects. Students may also get involved as research assistant on some of the IRJI’s ongoing projects.
“Drake Law’s rich curriculum and extensive opportunities to gain real-world experience through clinical programs and internships prepare students to hit the ground running when they graduate,” said Jerry Anderson, dean of Drake Law School. “It is not uncommon for students in our criminal law program to conduct a jury trial before graduation. These experiences make them strong candidates for many different employment opportunities. As a result, we have recent graduates working as prosecutors or defense attorneys across the country, from Los Angeles to Cook County (Chicago) to the Bronx.”
— Theresa Howard, Law School
ASC holiday cookie decorating live demonstration
All Staff Council invites you to a holiday cookie decorating demonstration! Our own Lynne Cornelius, violence prevention coordinator, will be showcasing her incredible cookie decorating skills via Microsoft Teams Live Event on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m.
Please join us for this special event on Microsoft Teams or join from the event listing on the Drake University Campus Calendar.
— All Staff Council Events and Community Service Committee
Final grades due Dec. 16 (Law School grades due Jan. 12)
Faculty, final grades are due by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16. Exception: Final grades for the Law School are due on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Your ability to submit final grades will be disabled at that point.
View instructions on how to send your final grades from Blackboard to MyDUSIS.
Those of you who want to submit grades directly into MyDUSIS should begin by clicking the Grading button in the “Faculty & Advising” menu in MyDrake and then finding the “Final Grades–Submittal Link.”
The final evaluation schedule includes a listing of when courses are scheduled to meet for their final evaluations.
— Kevin Moenkhaus, Office of the Registrar
Working worldwide info session
Do you have plans for after graduation? Interested in living and working abroad? Look no further than Working Worldwide, an opportunity for recent graduates to live and work in China or Kosovo for a year.
A virtual information session is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use this link to access the Zoom meeting: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/j/86221689464
At this information session, we will look at the placement opportunities in China and Kosovo and answer any questions you may have. If you are looking to expand your horizons, develop skills to be a competitive professional, and do something different after graduation, Working Worldwide is the program for you!
For questions, reach out to Education Abroad Coordinator, Nathan Jacobson at nathan.jacobson@drake.edu.
— Nathan Jacobson, Global Engagement
Wellness updates
Don’t miss a chance to earn a Wellness long sleeve T-shirt. Log into imleagues.com/drake or the Drake Rec App to take our virtual group exercise classes. Reach 15 classes before Sunday, Dec. 13, at 11:59 p.m. and the shirt is yours! Our classes don’t end there. We will be offering virtual classes until the Spring semester. For every five classes you take between Dec. 14 and Feb. 14 your name will be entered into a prize drawing. There are no limits on entries.
Show us your best trick shot this break! Complete a trick shot and tag @drakerec in the post or email it to wellness@drake.edu.
— Emily Madsen, Recreational Services–Wellness
Newman Civic Fellow nominations being accepted
The Office of Community Engaged Learning is now accepting nominations for the Newman Civic Fellowship.
The Newman Civic Fellowship is a national award that recognizes and supports community-committed students (undergraduate and graduate) who are changemakers and public problem-solvers. Students should engage in collaborative action with others from campus or from surrounding communities in order to create long-term social change, take action in addressing issues of inequality and political polarization, and demonstrate the motivation and potential for effective long-term civic engagement. Through the fellowship, Campus Compact provides students with training and resources that nurture their assets and passions and help them develop strategies for social change.
Nominees must be enrolled at Drake for the Spring 2021 semester, and 2021–2022 academic year.
To nominate a student, please submit 1–3 paragraphs including information about the nominee’s approaches to addressing the root causes of social issues. This may include involvement in public policy reform, community organizing, community-based research, social entrepreneurism, or other efforts to build the capacity of community-based organizations. Additionally, please include why you believe this person has the motivation and potential to develop innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public problems and to contribute to a network of similarly committed students.
A committee will review nominations to select one student from Drake University to be nominated for the Fellowship. That student will need to complete additional paperwork.
Please submit nominations to Amanda Martin, Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning, amanda.martin@drake.edu, no later than January 10, 2021. More information about the Fellowship can be found at compact.org/initiatives/awards-programs/newman-civic-fellowship.
— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning
Call for proposals: FY22 Global Partnership Grant
There is still time to submit a proposal for the FY22 Global Partnership Grants!
Drake University has established formal partnerships with multiple institutions abroad. Joint faculty and staff projects with our global partner institutions may be eligible for financial support through the Global Partnership Grants. Full details are available on our website.
Eligibility:
Full-time faculty and staff members are eligible to apply for activities taking place during FY22.
Application process:
- Discuss the proposed activity with your unit Director or Dean prior to submission.
- Submit the online application via Qualtrix, which includes a description and budget. Deadline: Dec. 18, 2020
- Deans/Directors will review all proposals for their unit with the Global Partnerships Coordinator and the Executive Director of Global Engagement for prioritization and to make collaborative funding decisions. Final award decisions will be announced in February 2021.
— Hannah Sappenfield, Global Partnerships Coordinator
Innovation Week prints available
We have a limited number of the prints created during Innovation Week by Sarah McCoy, associate professor of graphic design, available and would like to share them with you. If you want one, please send your mailing/street address to innovation@drake.edu and we’ll send it out. These are first come, first serve so email soon if you’re interested.
— Stephanie Cardwell, Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership